Sodium intakes are high in the United States and this trend starts early in life. New data from the highly-regarded National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES 2003-10) has now looked into which foods and drinks provide most sodium during the first two years of life.

Data was analysed from 778 infants aged 0-5.9 months, 914 infants aged 6 to 11.9 months and 1219 toddlers aged 12 to 23.9 months. It was found that sodium intakes were lowest in the youngest children but exposures increased gradually with age. With weaning (6 to 11.9 months) commercial baby foods, soups and pasta mixed dishes provided extra sodium. In the oldest age group cheeses and sausages were some of the main sources of sodium. Restaurant foods also provided 9 per cent of sodium.

Overall, this shows that most sodium comes from foods other than infant formula or human milk. It also highlights the need to educate parents about how restaurant settings can increase children’s exposure to sodium.